Penn National Gaming’s new slots parlor in Massachusetts will become the first US gaming venue to trial pre-commitment technology in a bid to reduce problem gambling behavior.

On Thursday, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) announced that Plainridge Park Casino, which became the state’s first brick-and-mortar gaming venue when it opened last June, will deploy the new Play My Way pre-commitment technology at the end of May.

Play My Way, which was developed in Massachusetts with funds contributed by the state’s new casino licensees, allows slots players to set limits on how much money they wish to spend in any gambling session by inserting their casino reward card into a machine at the start of play.

When a player reaches 50% of his predetermined gambling expenditure, the machine will automatically display an onscreen reminder. Similar reminders will appear at the 75% mark and again when the player’s preset limit is reached.